Spring-latch protector.



J. A. WHITE.

SPRING LATCH PROTECTOR. APPLICATION FILED APR.2|. 1917.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

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JOHN A. WHITE, or ocnnnranx, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB or ONE-HALF 'ro w. PERRY woon, or QCEANPARK, oamro'anm.

SPBING-LATOH PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 1913*.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oceanpark, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spring-Latch Protectors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates, particularly, to looks having spring latches; and the object of this invention is the provision of a simple and effective means for the protection of a spring latch against being forced back by a person operating with a tool against the beveled face of the latch bolt. Although this invention has its particularly valuable use in connection with locks having only a spring latch; yet it may be used in connection with dead bolts, etc., and in locks having both spring latch and dead bolt, as will readily appear. I prefer to explain my invention in connection with a simple form of spring latch lock; but my invention is not necessarily limited to such a lock.

The features of my invention, and other objects thereof, will appear from the following specification, wherein I describe a preferred and specific form of device embodying my invention; reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an interior elevation of a simple form of lock equipped with my invention; Fig. 2 is a view taken from the inside face of the lock, showing parts in section. and showing the mechanism as it appears when not in actual operation; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the mechanism as it appears in actual operation; Fig. i is a partial plan and partial section taken as indicated by line 4: on Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a similar plan and section taken as indicated by line 5 on Fig. 8.

In the drawings 1 show an ordinary form of spring lock contained within a suitable lock case 10. This spring lock has a spring latch 11 of any ordinary type having an outer beveled face 12 on its end. The spring latch bolt is pressed forward by a spring 13 of any suitable character and is adapted to enter a keeper 14 when the lock is in operative locking position. The lock case 10 may be mounted upon a door 15, and the keeper 14 may be mounted upon the door casing 16. This keeper 14 may typify any kind of keeper or'keeper plate, or the like; just as the lock lOtypifies any type of lock with a spring latch or the type of bolt.

In any ordinary kind of lock of this character, the beveled face 12 of the spring latch bolt may be reached by a tool through the opening 17 between the door and the door casing. Any moderately skilled person can force back a spring latch bolt and openthe door.

I mount a sliding plate 20 in front ofthe forward or outside face of the bolt. This sliding plate is retracted, toward the position shownin Figs 2 and 4:, by suitable spring 21, the spring being arranged so as to move the plate forwardly evenly and without binding. 1 cut a pair of slots 22in the casing of the lock and in these slots I place sectors 23 which are pivoted upon a pivot pin 2%. These sectors 23 carry at their outer ends a cross bar 25 adapted to engage with the face of the keeper 1%: when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Cross bar 25 is preferably formed integrally with the sectors (of sheet metal, preferably) and the sectors are thus constrained to move together, causing the opposite edges of the plate 20 to move together and causing the plate to move without binding. The sectors have teeth 23 which engage in openings 27 in the plate 20; forming in effect a gear and rack connection between the sectors and the plate. When the bar 25 strikes the keeper 14, the sectors are rotated around in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 4: and 5; and the plate 20 is moved forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5. This forward movement of the plate takes place as the bar 25 is moved around by engagement with the keeper, after the plate has passed the edge of the keeper opening; so that the action is to project the plate into the keeper opening after it has come opposite the opening. In this posi tion the plate 20 covers the opening 17 in front of the bolt 11, prevent access to the bolt bv a tool inserted through the opening 17. When the door is authorizedlv opened, then the sectors 23 and plate 20 will be moved back to their normal position, shown in Figs. 2 and 1, by the action of spring 21.

It will be seen that I have provided a simple and effective means of thoroughly protecting a latch bolt. It will be noted that the plate 20 extends across the whole face of so as to completely protect the latch bolt.

and door when the lock is in operative looking position. The pressure of the bar 25 against the keeper 14, by virtue of the action of spring 21, holds the bolt 11 back against the keeper and thus prevents any loose rattling of the bolt in the keeper.

It will also be seen that my device may be applied in situations other than the specific one herein described. For instance, it may be applied as a protector to any kind of bolt; and it'may be applied as a protector to a spring latch bolt in any kind of lock.

Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a lock having a bolt and a keeper adapted to be entered by the bolt,a slidable protector plate mounted in a lock at the outside surface of the bolt, a pivoted member adapted to strike the keeper, and connective means between the protector plate and said pivoted member to move the protector plate outwardly over the exterior face of the bolt.

2. In combination with a lock having a bolt and a keeper adapted to be entered by the bolt, a slidable protector plate mounted in the lock at the outside surface of the bolt, and a pivoted member adapted to strike'the keeper and connected with the protector plate to move the protector plate outwardly over the exterior face of the bolt, said pi oted member embodying a pair of sectors with teeth engaging the slidable plate, and embodying a cross bar connecting said sectors adapted to strike the keeper.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of April, 1917.

' JOHN A. WHITE. Witnesses:

-W. PERRY VVoon, ELwooD H. BARKELEW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

